"Michael's POV "
"Told you so," Nicole said, giving me that smug little look that somehow made her look cute.
Cute? Seriously? Since when did I start thinking that?
I tried to shake it off, but the way she grinned like she'd just won something made it hard not to stare. It was weird — how she turned our dumb arguments into something that almost felt… fun.
Apparently, people thought I was mysterious. That made me laugh a little inside. I wasn't mysterious; I just liked keeping to myself. I wasn't antisocial or anything, I just—preferred quiet.
Not like Jay. Yeah, Jay — loud, confident, always in the center of everything.
"So, there's a party at Henry's place this weekend. You guys coming?" Jay said looking at his phone.
I raised an eyebrow, biting into my sandwich. "Henry? The guy on the football team?" The team I was planning on joining because I loved football but couldn't commit to.
Jay nodded, mouth full. "Yup. Parents are out of town, big house, loud music, bad decisions — the usual."
Nicole shrugged, not looking overly excited but not brushing it off either. "Could be fun."
That's a surprise, I thought she wasn't the party type.
Laura perked up. "Oh, I heard about that! Everyone's going. Apparently, the senior guys are bringing a speaker setup from the gym."
Jay pointed a fry at her. "Exactly. It's gonna be wild."
Nicole glanced at me. "What about you, Michael? You coming."
And there it was — the big question. The one that usually ended with me saying no.
It wasn't that I hated parties. I used to go to every single one, which isn't exactly something to brag about, but still — I went. Back then, it was easy to get lost in the noise, in the lights, in everything that didn't matter.
But ever since Mum got cancer, I started saying no more often. Then I stopped going altogether.
I hesitated now, focusing a little too hard on opening my drink. "I don't know. Not really my thing."
Nicole's eyes flicked toward me, and for a moment, I caught it — even though they still looked a little dull this time, there was a faint shine to them. Not much, just enough to make me pause.
Jay leaned back, smirking. "You say that about everything. Come on, man, live a little."
"I do live,"I said, deadpan.
"Barely," Laura teased, grinning.
Nicole looked at me, softer this time. "You don't have to stay long. Just come for a bit. It's not like we'll let you stand in the corner by yourself."
I let out a small laugh. "That's reassuring."
It was reassuring, knowing she was going to be there.
Jay clapped his hands together. "So that's a yes?"
I didn't answer right away. The cafeteria around us buzzed — trays clattering, someone shouting from another table, laughter echoing through the air.
"Maybe," I said finally.
Jay grinned. "That's good enough for me."
Nicole smiled faintly, and I caught her eyes for half a second before looking away.
Yeah. Maybe.
"Blegh," Jay said, faking a puke face as he stared at Samantha and Riley snuggling across the table.
I couldn't help but snicker, even though Nicole shot me a quick look, half amused, half "don't encourage him."
"Did you guys even hear what we said, or were you too far in your own world to notice?" Laura joined in, looking genuinely worried. It was clear they hadn't heard a word of it.
"You know what? Never mind. I'll text you," she said, getting up. Nicole followed her, grabbing her tray as the bell for the next class rang.
Jay groaned dramatically. "Finally. Peace and quiet.
I laughed softly, shaking my head. "You act like it's been torture… when the torture has yet to begin."
Jay gave me a confused look, taking another bite of his sandwich. Which still amazed me — how was he not done with that one sandwich yet?
"We have Algebra next," I said, smiling at the pure look of agony etched on his face.
"No!!" Jay groaned dramatically, while Sam snickered, clearly finding a strange sense of joy in watching him squirm.
Nicole gave me a small grin as she passed by on the way out, walking with Laura, while Samantha and Riley trailed a few steps behind, holding hands.
That little shine in her eyes was still there, just enough to make me notice, just enough to make me wonder.
A party huh?
I'll have to ask mum first.